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The Independent
18-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Nuts, popcorn and ‘healthy' crisps face daytime ad ban over salt content
The majority of ready-to-eat popcorn, nuts or crisps could be banned from advertising under the UK's upcoming anti-obesity legislation due to their hidden salt content, according to new research. From October 2025, the government is set to ban junk food adverts from appearing on TV between 5:30am and 9pm. An analysis of over 1,200 crisps, nuts and popcorn snacks by Action on Salt and Sugar has found that the majority fail to meet the government's criteria due in part to excessive salt and sugars. Products are classed as junk food under the new law if they are deemed 'High in Fat, Salt, and Sugar' (HFSS) as per the UK Nutrient Profiling Model developed by the Food Standards Agency in 2004. The model assigns a score based on the balance of positive and negative nutrients. If a food scores a four or more it is deemed a HFSS product. According to the group of experts' research, a staggering 77 per cent of crisps, 56 per cent of nuts, and 88 per cent of popcorn would be scored 'less healthy' under the government's guidelines. 'It's clear that voluntary efforts to improve food nutrition have largely fallen short,' said Sonia Pombo, Head of Impact and Research at Action on Salt. The Department of Health and social care has said the restrictions are set to be imposed in the hopes it will 'encourage the food industry to change their recipes and provide healthier options'. But campaigners have said the research shows these efforts are already falling short. Ms Pombo said it was 'about time' the government got tough by creating mandatory, health-related targets with strong enforcement. 'Without this, the UK's hidden salt and sugar crisis will persist, putting consumers at risk and leaving responsible brands at a disadvantage in an uneven marketplace,' she said. Specialists at the organisation, based at the Wolfson Institute of Public Health at Queen Mary University of London, also found that nearly one in three ready-to-eat popcorn products are saltier than a packet of cheese & onion crisps, with 27 per cent of all of these snacks exceeding the government's voluntary maximum salt targets. The saltiest popcorn was found to be gourmet brand's Joe & Seph's Sweet & Salty Popcorn, which had 2.25g salt per 100g. The study also found that 42 per cent of popcorn analysed also had high levels of sugars, with the worst product being Morrisons Market Street Toffee Flavour Popcorn, which had the equivalent of more than seven teaspoons of sugar per serving. Surprisingly, some 'healthy' crisps were also found to have high levels of salt. Eat Real's chilli and lemon lentil chips had 3.6g of salt per 100g - saltier than the concentration of seawater. The study also found that many flavoured varieties of nuts are failing to meet healthier standards ahead of the ban - with nearly one in four of these exceeding salt targets. Dr Pauline Swift, Chair of Blood Pressure UK said: 'Reducing salt isn't just a health recommendation – it's a lifesaving necessity. Excess salt, often hidden in everyday foods, raises blood pressure, which is the leading cause of strokes, heart and kidney disease – all of which is completely avoidable. 'Without urgent action to cut both salt and sugar levels, we're gambling with lives. The government must step up with enforceable targets to protect public health."
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Yahoo
Honesdale man accused of shooting toward White Mills home charged with attempted homicide
Pennsylvania State Police in Honesdale announced the arrest Friday, Feb. 7, of a man suspected of firing a gun at a house in White Mills early that morning. The affidavit states that he had an "ongoing 'beef'" with two men inside, "over girls." No one was injured, police said. Tyler Allen Pombo, 24, of Honesdale, was charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and related charges. The affidavit filed by Trooper Michael Collins identifies the victims as Kevin Bednar, 23, from White Mills, and Dene Hayes, 26, from Honesdale. State police responded at approximately 2:45 a.m. to a residence on Texas Palmyra Highway east of the White Mills Post Office. The police secured the scene, and at 4 a.m. Collins interviewed both victims. The affidavit states that they visited a few local bars that night. They were at the Twisted Rail Tavern in Honesdale at roughly midnight and were there about an hour. Pombo was already there, with a group of friends. The two victims said they had "an ongoing 'beef' with [Pombo] over girls," the affidavit states. They said nothing happened at the tavern and they left between 1 and 1:30 a.m. After stopping at Turkey Hill, they headed to Bednar's home. On the way, they stopped outside the Twisted Rail, staying in Hayes' vehicle. After they left, while on Terrace Street, Pombo drove up from behind and blew his horn. The affidavit further states that the honking prompted Bednar and Hayes to stop, get out and go up to Pombo's vehicle. They said that "words were exchanged, and they observed [Pombo] grab a gun and pointed it in their direction," the affidavit said. The victims got back in their vehicle and proceeded to Bednar's house in White Mills. Once in the kitchen, "rounds started hitting the house," the affidavit states. Hayes said that he looked out and saw the taillights of a vehicle leaving westbound on Route 6, towards Honesdale. Although he couldn't identify the vehicle, Hayes said that Pombo was driving a dark red Jeep Cherokee earlier that night. A state police forensics team discovered three empty 9 mm shell casings in the roadway in front of Bednar's house, two spent bullets inside the house and "multiple holes in the siding, porch, and interior walls," according to the affidavit. At 5:44 a.m. Collins spoke with Pombo by phone, who agreed to come to the state police barracks. Collins interviewed Pombo at 6:26 a.m., and the affidavit states the defendant also said he had "beef" about girls with the two victims. As stated in the affidavit, Pombo said he had a confrontation with Bednar and Hayes after leaving the Twisted Rail but was not the aggressor. Pombo's account was that Bednar and Hayes pulled in front of him as he left the parking lot. Pombo said the other vehicle slammed on the brakes, and Bednar and Hayes exited and walked over to Pombo's vehicle, the affidavit says. Pombo stated that Hayes and Bednar were screaming and spitting on his window, and one of them grabbed the vehicle's door handle, the affidavit says. Feeling threatened, he said, he pulled out his 9 mm Smith & Wesson pistol and pointed it at them, the affidavit says. Bednar and Hayes left and drove off in Hayes' vehicle. Pombo "confessed to driving to Bednar's residence and shooting at it with his gun," and saw Hayes' vehicle parked there, Collins said in the affidavit. Pombo was arraigned on all charges and was remanded to the Wayne County Correctional Facility. Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@ or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588. This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: PSP: Shooter arrested after bullets hit White Mills house early Friday
